Screw-on, adhesive, or both combined
ANSI/BHMA A156.6 · NFPA 80 · ADA 404.2.10
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
A door armor plate is a flat protective sheet that covers the lower face of a door. Most are 30 to 48 inches tall. That is much taller than a kick plate. They take the hits from carts, beds, dollies and wheelchairs in busy halls. This keeps doors looking new longer. Plates come in stainless steel, brass, aluminum and rigid plastic. You can fit one to the push side, the pull side or both. On fire-rated doors, the plate must carry its own fire label.
Absorbs daily hits from carts, beds and dollies, so the door face stays free of dents.
A plate costs less than a new door, and a scuffed plate is easy to swap.
Smooth stainless or plastic surfaces wipe clean fast, which helps hospitals and kitchens meet hygiene goals.
King Locksmith And Doors Inc. is a commercial locksmith and door company serving Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia. We install and repair door hardware for small businesses, government agencies, hospitals, hotels and enterprises. Our technicians measure each door, check its fire label and fit armor plates that match your traffic and finish. We work around your hours to keep disruption low. From one door to a full building, we handle it start to finish.
The right armor plate depends on your door, your traffic and your codes. Use these five quick checks to pick a plate that fits well, lasts for many years and passes inspection the first time.
Armor plates usually run 30 to 48 inches tall. Pick a height that covers the zone where carts and beds strike. Keep the top edge below the lever or exit device, or plan a clean cutout.
Width matters too. Most plates are 1 to 2 inches narrower than the door, so they clear the stops and hinges. We measure every opening on site, because older doors in one building are rarely the exact same size.
Stainless steel is the top choice for heavy traffic. It resists dents, rust and harsh cleaners, which suits hospitals, labs and kitchens. Brass and bronze give lobbies and hotels a warmer look but need more care.
Rigid plastic plates cost less, come in many colors and hide scuffs well. Most metal plates are .050 inch thick, but busy loading doors may call for thicker .062 or .125 inch plates for extra strength and longer life.
Fire doors follow strict rules under NFPA 80. Any plate whose top edge sits more than 16 inches above the bottom of the door must be labeled for fire door use. Almost every armor plate falls into this group.
A plain sheet screwed onto a rated door can void its label and fail your yearly inspection. We install listed plates by the maker’s instructions, so your doors stay safe and pass the fire marshal’s review.
Screw-on plates use countersunk screws spaced around the edges. They hold tight under hard impacts and are easy to remove later. This is the best fit for wood doors and heavy cart traffic in hospitals and warehouses.
Adhesive plates use strong double-sided tape and leave no holes behind. They suit hollow metal doors and leased spaces where drilling is not allowed. For the hardest-hit doors, we often combine tape and screws for the strongest hold.
The ADA requires a smooth surface on the push side of a door, from the floor up to 10 inches. A flush, well-fit armor plate easily meets this rule. Beveled edges stop chairs and carts from catching.
Taller plates can clash with other hardware. Flush bolts, vertical rod exit devices and door sweeps may need clean cutouts. We plan these before we cut, so the plate fits tight and every part still works as designed.
Kick plates and armor plates look alike, but they protect very different zones. Here is how armor plates compare when your doors face carts, beds and heavy equipment every day.
Consideration
Armor Plates
Kick Plates
Protects up to 48 inches of door
Guards only the bottom 8 to 12 inches
Absorbs hits at cart and gurney height
Leaves the mid-door exposed to dents
Built for hospitals, docks and service corridors
Suited to light foot traffic only
Prevents costly door replacements from impact damage
Door face above plate still needs repairs
Hides years of scuffs and scrapes
Scuffs above the plate stay visible
Armor plates can still wear out or fail when they are the wrong size or poorly installed. These are the problems we see most often across DMV offices, hospitals and hotels.
We inspect each door, measure openings and note fire labels before we suggest any plate or finish.
We install armor plates cut to size, using screws, adhesive or both for a secure, lasting fit.
We source and install labeled armor plates that keep your fire-rated doors compliant with NFPA 80 rules.
We remove worn, loose or peeling plates, repair minor door damage beneath them and fit new ones.
We cut clean notches around flush bolts, vertical rods and other hardware so every part still works.
We plan and install plates across whole floors or buildings, working after hours to limit any disruption.
Stop costly door damage early. Get a free site assessment and armor plate quote from our local DMV team today.
